Ever wonder where Father’s Day came from? It was founded by a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd who had created the holiday in remembrance of her father, a widow and Civil War Veteran. It was not until 1910 that the holiday was locally recognized, and then in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge made it a national event. Then in 1966, President Johnson signed a proclamation making Father’s Day the third Sunday in June, and finally in 1972, President Nixon made it into law. Thanks to a loving daughter, fathers everywhere are now recognized on this special day in June.
If you are not sure what to do with your dad this Father’s Day, here are a few things I suggest:
1. What is a better way to celebrate your Father than taking him out to his favorite meal or restaurant. Does he love steak? Outback Steak House (http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com/) is honoring Father’s Day by giving away a $10 gift certificate to anyone who eats there on Sunday to use at their next visit. I do not know about your dad, but my dad loves his steak and potatoes.
2. How about a movie? There are several great guy movies out right now in theaters. How about a comedy? The Hangover, starring Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms, is about a group of guy friends (one which is getting married) going to Vegas for his bachelor party. While in Vegas, things get a little crazy and the guys wake up not remembering a thing from the previous night, yet their friend and groom is missing… While searching for their friend they find out clues as to what happened the previous night. It is so crazy it is funny. Another great comedy that just came out – Year One, starring Jack Black and Michael Cera, is about a couple of lazy hunter-gatherers who are banished from their primitive village, they set off on an epic journey through the ancient world. This is a sit back and watch no-brainer, fun comedy film that is so silly it will keep you laughing the whole time. If your dad is more of the action/adventure type, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta, may be your film. This is a story of a New York subway dispatcher, Walter (Washington) who becomes the middle man (not by choice) of a hijacked subway train with criminal mastermind Ryder (Travolta). Ryder gives Walter an hour to produce and deliver a large ransom before he starts to kill of innocent subway riders. Check out http://www.hollywood.com/ for local listings. If your dad is a stay at home movie watcher, give the gift of Netflix – he can watch movies in the comfort of his own home or computer. http://www.netflix.com/
3. Does he love sports? You can take him to the Golf range to hit some balls and take away some of that stress, or to a Baseball game. Major League Baseball is fun to watch and going to an actual game is a lot more fun than watching it on television, by just the atmosphere alone.
4. Does he love concerts? Check to see if his favorite band is coming to town: http://www.ticketmaster.com/
5. Want something cheap and easy? Why not have a day at the park with a BBQ. Bring your frisbee, football, baseball glove and ball, towels, swimsuit, sun tan lotion/block and his favorite food for the BBQ.
